Card feeding system



Jan. 15, 1963 A. J. ROMEO ETAL.

CARD FEEDING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1960 INVENTORSALBERT J. ROMEO EARL E. MASTERSON [Ill Ifll

Jan. 15, 1963 A. J. ROMEO ETAL CARD FEEDING SYSTEM 5 SheetsSheet 2 FiledJan. 28, 1960 Elli INVENTORS ALBERT J. ROMEO EARL E. MASTERSON Jan. 15,1963 A. J. ROMEO ETAL 3,073,590

CARD FEEDING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 28, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet s m van OE mmmwm: ON.

INVENTORS ALBERT J. ROMEO EARL E. MASTERSON AGENT IJIIU H H: H N: v09 HH oon W w m n m 3 .H

Now d N 1 wow m: 0: ON. M mom qo van Jan. 15, 1963 A. J. ROMEO ETAL3,073,590

CARD FEEDING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 28, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 4

IN V EN TORS ALBERT J. ROMEO EARL E. MASTERSON A ENT Jan. 15, 1963 A. J.ROMEO ETAL 3,073,590

CARD FEEDING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 28, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TORSALBERT J. ROMEO EARL E. MASTERSON AGENT ind 3,073,569 CARD FEEDTNGSYSTEM Albert J. Romeo, Springfield, Pa, and Earl E. Mastersen, Weston,Conn assignors to Sperry Rand Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporationof Delaware Filed Jan. 28, 196i), Ser. No. 5,191 14 Claims. (til. 2715l)This invention relates to an apparatus to be used for moving fiat stockmaterials; and, in particular, for moving such materials, for examplebusiness cards, intermittently to spaced locations.

Machines for moving web-like materials, such as business cards, tovarious spaced locations in order that the cards may be punched orprinted in a predetermined manner are known in the art. However, thesemachines frequently suffer from the problem of card skewing. The cardskewing usually occurs when the feed machine is moving the card-eitherbefore, after or during the printing or punching operation, which willhereafter be generically called the punching operation. The feedmechanism of these machines normally comprises at least two rollers, forexample of hard rubber. These rollers are mounted so that they are invertical juxtaposition, one above the other, and the cards are insertedand fed therebetween. Usually the motor for driving the rollers of thefeed mechanism is coupled to only one of the vertically juxtaposedrollers and the other roller is friction driven by the motor-drivenroller. This has been the case because the attempts to provide agear-train be tween the rollers whereby the motor-driven roller woulddrive the juxtaposed roller were ineffective. Consequently, a feedingmechanism utilizing a friction-driven roller had to be properly aligned.Therefore, the friction-driven roller was usually spring-loaded so thatthe vertically juxtaposed rollers would normally be maintained incontact and yet be sufficiently displaceable so that a card could passtherebetween. Since the rollers or card or both are subject to slightimperfections, certain portions of the card would be driven'while theother portions of the card remained stationary or moved at differentspeeds. Thus, the cards were caused to skew. In the alternative, a geardriven apparatus would be constructed so that the non-motor-driven (orindirectly-driven) roller is properly aligned as discussed supra inrelation to the friction drive apparatus. Thus, if the indirectly-drivenroller is spring-loaded to be initially in contact with the motor drivenroller, inefficient forces will be applied at the gear train when a cardis entered between the rollers and thereby forcing the rollers apart.That is, when the rollers are spread apart, the gears therebetween arealso spread apart. This effects a poor interconnection of the drivingforce causing card skew. if the rollers and the gears are initiallyspaced apart, then similar problems of irregular drive of the cardsarise as they did in the case of a friction-driven roller because of theslight variations and imperfections in the cards and rollers, and thecards again may be skewed. The problems are further complicated by themoving of the cards in a series of short, rapid, intermittent motions.Each of these stopstart operations is subject to normal back-lashproblerns which are compounded by the inefficient cooperation betweenthe spread apart gears.

The above-noted disadvantages are obviated by this invention whichutilizes resilient roller shafts, a plurality of short roller elementson each of the resilient shafts, and a tensioning system for controllingthe position of the roller shafts in order to incorporate the advantagesof both the gear driven, and the friction driven apparatus whileeliminating the problems inherent in each. That is, the resilient shaftsor rods are mounted such that their ends are disposed in fixed endbearings whereby Estates Eatent sary details.

ice

a gear train may be-placed intermediate of and coupled to each of therods. The tensionnig system is mounted so that it may apply a force tothe rods whereby the rods are moved toward each other in order that-theplurality of short rollers on each rod may be pressed together.Furthermore, the tensioning system and the resilience of the rods are sointerrelated that a card passing between the rollers will spread therollers apart'only by the small-distance necessary for the card. Thus,the advantage of substantially instantaneous movement of each rollerwhich is achieved by an intermediate gear train may be utilized.

An object of the device is to prevent skewing ofcards during the feedingthereof to a utilization station.

Another object of the invention is to permit a plurality of card feedingrollers to be gear driven.

A further objectof the invention is to provide-a device which will feedcards at a high speed with an intermittent motion and withlow'cardskewing.

These and other vobjects and advantages may be appreciated by readingthe following detailed-description of the invention in conjunction withthe accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a portion of the'card feeding assembly ofthis invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the card feeding apparatus showing in anexaggerated manner the condition of the feed roller shafts in theabsence of a card;

FIGURE 2a is a sectional viewof the apparatus shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the card feeding apparatus in the operationof feeding a card;

FIGURE 3a is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 4 is a top view of portions of a simplified card feed path; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a simplified-card feed path.

In the drawings it will be seen that similar components in each of thefigures bear the same reference numerals. Also for purposes of claritythe illustrations have been simplified in order to removecertain-unneces- For example, a detailed description of only one pair offeed rollers has been shown, but his understood that in a typical cardfeed system several pairs of suchrollers maybe spaced along the cardfeed path as is shown in a much simplified form.

Turning now to FIGURE 1, it will be seen that the card feed mechanism ofthis invention includes a pair of juxtaposed feed roller shafts 190,each mounted in a suitable frame member 156 by a pair of end bearingsMP2. or 104. The roller shafts are preferably made of a resilientmaterial, for example stainless steel, having a diameter ofapproximately 4 inch. The bearings 102 and 164 are mounted in a framelSdthe width of which may be altered by changing the length of the rod 152so that the bearings hold the ends of the roller shafts 100 in asubstantially fixed location. These bearings may be any well-knownbearings, sleeve, ball, etc. and need not be precision components. Sincethe roller shafts ltlll may exhibit a certain amount of swivel-likemotion when they are deformed, as described subsequently in relation toFIGURE 2, a relatively inexpensive hearing may even be preferable inorder to allowmore freedom of movement. At one end of one of therollershafts 100, there is a drivemeans. Any conventional driving meansmay be used and, for illustrative purposes, this is shown as a pulley 1%attached to one of the roller shafts 100 and around which passes a belt108. The belt is in turn driven by a motor for example. It may bedesirable in some applications, to include a clutch (for example anelectromechanical clutch) in the driving means in order to providebetter control over the rotational driving of the roller shafts. Also ina preferred embodiment, the roller shafts 100 are coupled togetherpreferably at the end remote from the driven end by a suitable drivinglink such as the gear train indicated schematically at 112.

This driving link 112 may comprise for example gears 112a and 1121: orany other well-known device of this type. The driving link 112, itshould be noted, must be located near the substantially fixed ends ofthe resilient rods so that the interaction of the parts of link 112 arenot disturbed during the operation of the apparatus. As shown, apreferable location of the link is at the extreme ends of the shafts.This link 112 is, of course, not necessary but represents a preferredconstruction of the invention.

Mounted on each of the roller shafts 100 at similar positions are aplurality of sleeve-like roller elements 114. These roller elements areattached to their respective shafts in spaced relation and rotatedtherewith. The dimensions of the roller elements 114 are chosen suchthat there is sufficient space between the elements on a single shaft toallow the shaft to remain flexible and yet the rollers are not so shortas to be subject to rapid wearing. For example, on a shaft 100 having aneffective length of about 9 inches, there may be used six rollerelements 114 having outside diameters of approximately /2" and a lengthof approximately The elements 114 may be arranged to have approximately/2 horizontal spacings therebetween. A preferable embodiment of theinvention utilizes roller elements which are fabricated of hard rubberin order to afford a rigid surface which exhibits a relatively largecoeflicient of friction to the material to be moved by the rollerelements. In the alternative, however, the rollers may be rubber coatedsleeves of Bakelite, nylon or similar lightweight material. In the eventthat roller wear is an important factor, a metallic roller, for examplechrome-plated steel may be used. The coeflicient of friction of themetallic roller elements is, of course, smaller than that of the rubberelements. However, a greater force may be applied by the tension systemshown and described relative to FIGURE 2. The roller elements on thedifferent vertically juxtaposed shafts are initially (FIGURE 1) spacedvertically apart by a predetermined distance t. This predetermineddistance of separation between the rollers is determined by thethickness of the material to be moved. Thus, the roller shafts 100 aremounted in the frame 150 so as to be horizontally straight and at adistance of separation which is defined by the diameter of the rollerelements 114 and the aforesaid material thickness. In a typical example,the roller elements may have an outside diameter of /2" whereby theshaft centers will be spaced apart by a dimension equal to A" plus thecard thickness t.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 it will be seen that the surfaces of theroller elements 114 on separate shafts are now in contact. Thiscontacting of the roller elements is brought about by a controlleddeformation of the shafts 100 which, as previously noted, are fabricatedof resilient material. The controlled deformation of the shafts 100 iscaused by applying a uniformly distributed pressure along the shafts 100and is exaggerated for illustrative purposes. To permit uniformdistribution of the pressure along the length of the card feed roller, atensioning system, also shown schematically, comprising a pair oftension bars 116 and carrying a plurality of tension springs 118 isadded. The tension bars 116 are made of a substantially rigid material,preferably a metallic substance such as cold rolled steel, and arepivotally mounted in frame 150 at pivot 122 such that the tension barsmay rotate about the long axis thereof. Thus, for example, in one methodof mounting, the tension bars 116 may have a threaded extension 124passing through the holes 126 in frame 150 and be thereby held in placeby nuts 128. The tension springs 118 (which are better seen in FIGURE 4)are preferably fabricated of a resilient material for example springsteel, and are attached at one of their ends to the tension bars 116.This attachment may be effected by any suitable method, for example,brazing or welding. A preferable means of attachment is by using screws128 (FIGURE 4) to hold the springs 118 to the bars 116, therebypermitting easy removal and/ or replacement of the individual springs.The other ends of the springs 118 may then rest directly on the rods orin the alternative, as illustrated, half-bearings may be attached to thearms 113 and these half-bearings then bear on the roller shafts 100 inthe spaces between the elements 114. This latter construction providesadvantages of alignment, lubrication, etc., as will be readily obviousto those skilled in the art. In addition, when an even number ofelements 114 is utilized, a centrally located space therebetween willpermit the central one of springs 118 to apply a deforming force at thecenter of the shaft 100.

FIGURE 2a is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 2 andmore clearly shows other components of the tensioning system. Each ofthe tension bars 116 are substantially identical, and in the interest ofclarity, only one of said bars 116 will be described. However, thedescription applies equally well to both bars. Each of these bars 116have mounted thereon a control lever 202. This lever may be mounted onthe tension bars in any preferred way or may be formed initially as anintegral part thereof. The control lever 202 may include in a preferredembodiment a tapped hole at its free end 210 through which a screw 204may be passed. Screw 204 may be turned in or out in order to adjust itslength of extension 204a through the control lever 202. The controllever 202 or the set screw 204 (in the preferred embodiment) may thenrest against a stop 206. The stop may normally be an integral part of ormounted on the frame 150. Since the stop 206 has a substantially rigidlyfixed location, the adjustments made in the length of extension of theset screw 204 will alter the angular position of the tension bar 116 bycausing the bar 116 to rotate around its long axis. Thus, when screw 204is adjusted so as to have a greater extension 204a through lever 202,tension bar 116 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction (in thisillustration) whereby a force is applied to the roller shafts 100 viathe springs 118 and the bearings 120 as previously described. A nut 208may be provided to ensure that screw 204 is positively main tained inthe set position whereby the angular position of the tension bar is alsomaintained constant. Since the magnitude of the force to be applied isdependent upon a variety of characteristics including, for example, the

characteristics of the material being moved and the material comprisingthe roller elements, the force applied to the shaft may be regulated bythis apparatus comprising stop 206, screw 204 and lever 202. In anillustrative operation, a force of two pounds per half-bearing isapplied when a typical tabulating' card is to be moved; or in theinstant case (using five half-bearings) the total force applied to theshaft is ten pounds. It will now be appreciated that as the shafts 100rotate while in the deformed configuration, there may be a slightswivel-like or eccentric motion at the ends thereof. Therefore, thebearings 102 and 104 (FIGURES l and 2) may be of an inexpensive varietyas mentioned previously.

Turning now to FIGURE 3, it may be seen that this figure shows asomewhat less detailed front view of the apparatus in operation. Thatis, a card 300 for example, has been introduced into the apparatus andis passing between the rollers elements 114. The tension force ap pliedto the shafts 100 by the tensioning system (represented by bearings 120)has been carefully predetermined, as noted supra, so that the tensioningsystem bears upon the rods 100 such that the insertion of a card causesthe roller elements 114 to part by a distance substantially qual to t,thereby forcing the rods 100 to straighten as in their initial positionof FIGURE 1. Thus, even if there had previously been an inefiicientcoupling at driving link 112, this component is now restored to itsintended operating position and the coupling achieves its maximumeffectiveness.

FIGURE 3a is a sectional view of FIGURE 3 and is substantially similarto FIGURE 2a with the exception that card 300 has been introducedbetween the upper and lower roller elements 114-. Since the rollers and,therefore, the rods are displaced from the deformed configurations tothe original straight configurations of FIG- URE l, the bearings 12% arealso displaced. Thus, the tension springs 118 are caused to bendslightly because tension bar 116 is firmly positioned by lever 202,screw 204 and stop 2% and cannot rotate as the movement of the shafts16%} would tend to dictate. However, because these springs arefabricated of a material such as spring steel, which is resilient, theyreturn to their normal configuration when the card is passed completelythrough the inter-roller location.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 5 concurrently, a typical utilization ofthe instant invention is shown in the form of an improved card feedingapparatus. The reference numerals and associated elements in these figures correspond to similar numerals and elements of other figures. InFIGURES 4 and 5 there are shown vertically juxtaposed shafts 100, rollerelements 114, etc., as shown previously with the exception that thereare now four sets thereof. These sets are disposed along a line oftransmittal of the cards indicated by the arrow. The upper guide meansdoll and the lower guide means 402 (FIGURES 4 and 5) are of the usualtype and are utilized to insure that there is no jamming of cards priorto the cards reaching the roller unit. Fur thermore, the gear train 420comprising gears 4tl4-416 inclusive may be utilized in a preferredembodiment. The use of this gear train permits synchronized movement ofeach of the roller shafts in the card feeding apparatus. Thus, it ispossible that, if desirable, a single ClllVlHg means (e.g. motor 114))may drive all of the roller shafts thereby assuring synchronization.

In a typical system as suggested by FIGURES 4 and 5, which system isadapted to feed conventional business cards, the dimensions of thevarious elements or components are related to the card to be used. Asfor example, if the card is assumed to have the approximate dimensions7%" x 3 /2" the effective shaft length may be approximately 9" and thedistance between the roller pairs may be approximately 3" whereby thecards may be fed from roller-pair to roller-pair in the usual fashionwith little or no skewing of the cards. In addition, a utilizationstation, for example a printing statron or a punching station, may beinterposed between any two of the roller pairs.

In the event that a driving link 112 is not desired to be incorporated,but rather the friction between the card and the indirectly drivenroller (the lower roller in this case), is relied upon to feed the card,the distributron of independently alignable rollers 114 and the uniformdistribution of the force across the surface-of the card will efi'ectproper in-line feeding thereof. That is, since each of the rollerelements 114, acts somewhat independently of the other roller elementson the same shaft, the force which is applied by the tensioning systemis distributed across the card in a fashion which is determined by thecard itself and is substantially equally displayed at all points ofcontact between the card and the roller elements 114. Consequently, theslight imperfections in the thickness of the cards or the diametricdimensions possibly found in the roller element-s will not cause cardskewing because each of the elements applies the proper force necessaryto provide positive control of the card.

Thus, it may be seen that when the apparatus is used to feed punchcards, for example, at intermittent times, such that there is a highrate of stop-start operation,

the problem of card skewing will be substantially obviated. That is,there will be a tension force applied to the shafts by the tensionsystem thereby to maintain substantially equal friction forces on allpoints of contact between the rollers and the cards; and there may be, adriving link actually inserted between the two roller rods so that theywill be gear driven, for example, in order to provide a further degreeof positive control. Furthermore, it may be apparent to those skilled inthe art that a plurality of rod pairs, as shown in the figures, may besomewhat modified in order to facilitate larger cards, etc. These andother modifications of the disclosed invention are meant to be includedin this description which is intended to be illustrative only of apreferred embodiment.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1s:

1. In a card feeding mechanism, a card feed roller assembly, said rollerassembly comprising a pair of resilient shafts and a plurality of rollersleeve members spaced along the length of each of said shafts andmounted for rotation with the associated shaft, the length of each ofsaid roller sleeve members being greater than the length of the spacesintermediate adjacent roller sleeve members on each of said shafts,driving means coupled to one of said shafts for rotating said shaft, and

tically juxtaposed, resilient rods, a plurality of end bear-- ingsrotatably mounted in said frame, each of said resilient rods beingmounted in a pair of said end bearings so that said rods are verticallyspaced apart by a substantially fixed distance, a plurality of rubberroller elements mounted on each of said resilient rods at spacedintervals therealong such that the roller elements of separate shaftsare disposed opposite each other, said roller elements having adiarnetric dimension which is less than the distance between saidresilient rods so that said opposedroller elements are spaced slightlyapart, a pair of tension bars arranged so that one tension bar ismounted adjacent each of said resilient rods, said tension bar beingrotatably mounted, a pluralityof tension springs extending from each ofsaid tension bars to said resilient rods, each of said tension springsincluding a half-bearing at the end adjacent said resilient rods, saidhalf-bearings resting on said resilient rods such that forcemay beapplied to said rods via said tension springs whereby said rods are sodeformed that said opposed roller elements are caused to be in contactwhen said tension bar is rotated in a predetermined direction, stopmeans, a control lever extending from said tension bar to said stopmeans whereby the rotation of said tension arm may be controlled, anddriving means coupled to at least one of said resilient rods for drivingsaid roller elements via said rods whereby cards may be. moved throughsaid card feeding apparatus.

3. The combination as called for in claim 2, wherein a driving link iscoupled between said rods so that said rods may be drivensimultaneously.

4. In combination, a pair of rotatably mounted shafts, each of saidshafts comprising an elongated rod of resilient material and beingdisposed one-above-the-other, a plurality of roller elements beingmounted at spaced intervals along the length of each said elongated rodsso that said elements on one of said pair of shafts are opposite saidelements on the other of said pair of shaft-s, and tension means forbearing upon and thereby forcing said pair of resilient shafts towardeach other whereby said oppositely mounted roller elements are caused tobear upon each other, said tension means including a plurality of armswhich baar upon each of said shafts in the intervals between said rollerelements whereby a l substantially uniform distributed force is appliedalong the length of said shafts.

5. In the combination as called for in claim 4, said rollers having adiametric dimension which is smaller than the distance between said pairof mounted resilient rods so that said rollers are not in contact priorto the application of the force of said tension means.

6. In combination, a pair of rotatably mounted shafts, each of saidshafts comprising an elongated rod of re silient material and beingdisposed one-above-the-other, a plurality of roller elements, saidelements being mounted at spaced intervals along the length of each ofsaid'elongated rods, tension means forcing said pair of resilient shaftstoward each other whereby said roller elements are caused to bear uponeach other, and control means for regulating the magnitude of the forceexerted by said tension means.

7. The combination of claim 6, including driving means linked to atleast one of said shafts for rotating said shafts.

8. In a card feeding apparatus including a frame to contain the variouscomponents thereof, a pair of elongated resilient rods, a plurality ofend bearings fixedly mounted in said frame, said resilient rods eachhaving their ends mounted in one of said end bearings so that said rodsare spaced apart by a substantially fixed distance, a plurality ofroller elements on each of said resilient rods at spaced intervalstherealong, said roller elements having a diametric dimension which isless than the distance between said resilient rods so that said rollerelements are spaced apart, a tension bar mounted adjacent each of saidresilient rods, said tension bar beng pivotally mounted thereby topermit rotation about its elongated axis, a plurality of arms extendingfrom each of said tension bars to said resilient rods such that forcemay be applied to produce controlled deformation of said rods, saidforce being applied to said rods via said arms when said tension bar isrotated through a predetermined arc of rotation in a predetermineddirection, stop means, and a stop leg extending from said tension bar tosaid stop means whereby the length of the arc of rotation of saidtension arm may be controlled.

9. The card feeding apparatus as called for in claim 8, including meanscoupling said resilient rods together whereby said rods effectcounter-rotation.

10. In combination, a plurality of elongated shaft means, each of saidshaft means comprising a resilient rod, a plurality of roller elementsmounted on each one of said resilient rods, said pluralities of rollerelements being equal in number whereby said pluralities of rollerelements may be mounted opposite each other, tension means injuxtaposition to said shafts, said tension means including armsextending to said shaft means thereby to bear upon said rods and controlthe relative positions of portions thereof, driving means coupled to oneof said shafts to cause rotation of said shaft, and linking meanscoupled to each of said shafts for interconnecting said shafts therebyto provide a mutual driving relation therebetween.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said linking means comprises agear train.

12. A card feeding apparatus including a frame member, a pair ofelongated resilient rods, a plurality of end bearings mounted in saidframe, said resilient rods each having their ends mounted in one of saidbearings so that said rods are spaced apart having a substantially fixeddistance, a plurality of roller elements on each of said resilient rodsat spaced intervals therealong, said roller elements having a diametricdimension which is less than the dimension between said resilient rod sothat said roller elements are spaced apart, a tension bar mountedadjacent each of said resilient rods, said tension bar being pivotallymounted thereby to permit rotation about its elongated axis, a pluralityof arms extending from each of said tension bars to said resilient rodssuch that force may be applied to said rods via said arm when saidtension bar is rotated in a predetermined direction, stop means, a stopleg extending from said tension bar to said stop means whereby thelength of the arc of rotation of said tension arm may be controlled,means coupling said resilient rods together whereby said rods effectcounter-rotation relative to each other, and driving means coupled toone of said resilient rods for driving said roller elements via saidrods.

'13. In an intermittently actuated card feeding mechanism, a card feedroller assembly, said roller assembly comprising at least one pair ofresilient shafts and a plurality of roller sleeve members spaced alongthe length of each of said shafts and mounted for rotation with theassociated shaft, driving means coupled to at least one of said shaftsfor intermittently rotating said shaft, means linking said shafts inpairs such that said shafts in an associated pair are caused to rotatesimultaneously, and tension means mounted in juxtaposition to each ofsaid shafts, said tension means including means which bear upon saidshafts intermediate said plurality of roller members thereby to producecontrolled deformation of portions of said shafts and the rollersthereon.

14. In combination, a plurality of resiliently deformable shaft means,said shaft means arranged in associated pairs of parallel shafts, eachof said shaft means having the ends thereof rotatably mounted, aseparate plurality of roller means affixed to each of said shaft meansand rotatable therewith, means linking said shaft means such that saidshaft means are rotated simultaneously, and spring-loaded means whichbear upon said shafts intermediate said plurality of rollers in order toproduce a controlled deformation of the centers of said associated pairsof shafts and rollers toward one another whereby the insertion of matterbetween associated rollers urges said shafts toward an undeformedconfiguration.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,778,804 Lindner Oct. 21, 1930 1,830,120 McGowan Nov. 3, 1931 2,036,883Poppe Apr. 7, 1936 2,114,691 Vose Apr. 19, 1938 2,201,605 Backhouse May21, 1940 2,578,413 Ford Dec. 11, 1951 2,751,982 Schlemmer June 26, 19562,849,230 Danly et al. Aug. 26, 1958 2,960,749 Robertson Nov. 22, 1960FOREIGN PATENTS 388,527 Great Britain Mar. 2, 1933

2. IN A CARD FEEDING APPARATUS INCLUDING A FRAME TO CONTAIN THE VARIOUSCOMPONENTS THEREOF, A PAIR OF VERTICALLY JUXTAPOSED, RESILIENT RODS, APLURALITY OF END BEARINGS ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID FRAME, EACH OF SAIDRESILIENT RODS BEING MOUNTED IN A PAIR OF SAID END BEARINGS SO THAT SAIDRODS ARE VERTICALLY SPACED APART BY A SUBSTANTIALLY FIXED DISTANCE, APLURALITY OF RUBBER ROLLER ELEMENTS MOUNTED ON EACH OF SAID RESILIENTRODS AT SPACED INTERVALS THEREALONG SUCH THAT THE ROLLER ELEMENTS OFSEPARATE SHAFTS ARE DISPOSED OPPOSITE EACH OTHER, SAID ROLL ER ELEMENTSHAVING A DIAMETRIC DIMENSION WHICH IS LESS THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEENSAID RESILIENT RODS SO THAT SAID OPPOSED ROLLER ELEMENTS ARE SPACEDSLIGHTLY APART, A PAIR OF TENSION BARS ARRANGED SO THAT ONE TENSION BARIS MOUNTED ADJACENT EACH OF SAID RESILIENT RODS, SAID TENSION BAR BEINGROTATABLY MOUNTED, A PLURALITY OF TENSION SPRINGS EXTENDING FROM EACH OFSAID TENSION BARS TO SAID RESILIENT RODS, EACH OF SAID TENSION SPRINGSINCLUDING A HALF-BEARING AT THE END ADJACENT SAID RESILIENT RODS, SAIDHALF-BEARINGS RESTING ON SAID RESILIENT RODS SUCH THAT FORCE MAY BEAPPLIED TO SAID RODS VIA SAID TENSION SPRINGS WHEREBY SAID RODS ARE SODEFORMED THAT SAID OPPOSED ROLLER ELEMENTS ARE CAUSED TO BE IN CONTACTWHEN SAID TENSION BAR IS ROTATED IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION, STOPMEANS, A CONTROL LEVER EXTENDING FROM SAID TENSION BAR TO SAID STOPMEANS WHEREBY THE ROTATION OF SAID TENSION ARM MAY BE CONTROLLED, ANDDRIVING MEANS COUPLED TO AT LEAST ONE OF SAID RESILIENT RODS FOR DRIVINGSAID ROLLER ELEMENTS VIA SAID RODS WHEREBY CARDS MAY BE MOVED THROUGHSAID CARD FEEDING APPARATUS.